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Tue, 31 Jul 2018 16:23:34 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2Pet Food Brands and Ingredients to Avoidhttp://www.bensieboy.com/pet-food-recalls/pet-food-brands-and-ingredients-to-avoid/
http://www.bensieboy.com/pet-food-recalls/pet-food-brands-and-ingredients-to-avoid/#commentsSun, 26 Oct 2014 22:00:00 +0000http://www.bensieboy.com/?p=699Every pet owner wants to care for them in the best way possible. This includes the foods and treats provided. Of course cost is, for most people, something to be considered. Most specialty brands with first ingredients being meats or fish are more expensive but just like for humans, the more nutritious the food, the less bulk is needed to satisfy appetite and nutritional needs.

Pet food can claims of “healthy” and “natural” are not always the case. Many pet food companies have been involved in various recalls, beginning with the devastating Menu Foods recall in 2007.” Advertising has gone a long way to promote these brands with “Recommended by” statements that have anything to do with the quality of these pet foods.

Beyond some of the appalling ingredients they contain, many pet foods contain only 10-20% meat content, while some that only utilize by-products and inexpensive vegetable proteins contain no meat whatsoever. Not exactly what dogs, cats and ferrets as carnivores require.

Quite simply quality pet foods do not use these ingredients. Clearly pet foods found in supermarkets and even chain pet stores do not have the best interests of your pets at heart. The majority do not make their own food and in the case of Menu Foods, one of the major out sourcers to the above companies, used cheap ingredients sourced from abroad that resulted in the poisoning of thousands of pets, including kidney failure and death.

Recently a nationwide class action law suit was filed against the majority, if not all of companies listed below for their misleading claims and questionable ingredients. It is clear that people are getting the message about pet food quality. The ingredients and information about them are listed below the company list.

Years ago pet food manufacturers discovered that pets adore the sweet taste of corn. Corn is one of the most heavily subsidized crops in agriculture, making its market price lower than the cost of producing the corn, and therefore an attractive ingredient for pet food.

The gluten in corn is used as an inferior protein source in pet foods. Corn protein in itself is not a complete protein source and must be balanced with animal proteins to create a usable amino acid profile for pets. Corn protein used exclusively results in muscle loss in carnivores. [10]

The AAFCO definition for corn gluten meal is “The dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm.” [9]

Unfortunately corn is often abused as the single most abundant ingredient in many pet foods, contributing to the many diseases linked to high carbohydrate diets, including obesity, chronic inflammation, diabetes and cancer.

The quality of the corn is also a problem as many pet foods use low quality corn containing toxins including mycotoxins and mold which cause damage to a pet’s liver and kidneys. [1]

Carnivores were never designed to obtain the majority of their energy requirements from carbohydrates. In fact dogs, cats and ferrets have zero nutritional requirements for carbohydrates or grains. Veterinary text books agree upon this. [11] Yet the mass of pet foods on the market regularly consist of 50% or higher carbohydrate content.

Eons of evolution have designed carnivores to obtain energy from amino acids (protein) and fatty acids, fat from prey animals through the process of gluconeogenesis.

Other than simple economics there is no reason to challenge the eons of evolution nature has put into place when it comes to feeding carnivores like dogs, cats & ferrets.

When we force such a dramatic change in metabolism and utilize least cost ingredients, adverse effects over the long term become much more likely. The same effects of junk food on humans can be seen in today’s companion animals.
Dr. T.J. Dunn D.V.M.- “There is ample proof that today’s pet dogs and cats do not thrive on cheap, corn-based pet foods. Dogs and cats are primarily meat eaters; to fill them up with grain-based processed dry foods that barely meet minimum daily nutrient requirements has proven to be a mistake.”

Wheat

Wheat is another ingredient found in abundance in many pet foods. The repetitive and peristent exposure of wheat to pet animals has resulted in allergies and intolerances to wheat and wheat gluten. This is another starchy crop that should be avoided.

Wheat gluten is also used as an inexpensive protein source in pet foods. Wheat gluten contamination was the cause of the massive 2007 Menu Foods pet food recall, which caused a countless numbers of companion animals to suffer from kidney failure, debilitation and death.

Menu Foods manufactured pet food for hundred’s of common brands. This ordeal would have been avoided if the pet food companies involved used quality ingredients such as human grade meat rather than lower cost cereal alternatives.

Even responsible manufacturers including those of Acana Dog Food confirm that utilizing grains in pet food is used more as a cost measure than for any health benefits.

Soy

Along with corn and wheat, soy is one of the most common allergens in companion animals. Carnivores were never meant to eat soy, it is commonly used in pet food as an inexpensive substitute for meat protein.

As an additional complication is that an estimated 89% of soy and 61% of corn crops are genetically engineered [2]. GMO, genetically modified organisms or foods are shown to adversely affect our pet’s as well as our own health. [3] What’s more, the estrogenic properties of soy can wreak havoc on a pet’s hormonal system.

“The process behind genetically modified food involves a careful re-configuration of genes combining e-coli bacteria, soil bacteria and the cauliflower mosaic virus that causes tumors in plants. They add an antibiotic and then artificially force it into plant cells with a gene invasion technique. All this is so farmers can douse nearly unlimited amounts of Roundup Herbicide on the crops and the plants won’t die.” [13]

Genetic engineering is a big business, when successful the seed is patented and may not be farmed without a license or studied without permission from the parent company. Internal documented studies of GMO crops fed to laboratory animals demonstrated a significant increase in tumor growth, the onset of infertility and decreased life span when compared to those fed the equivalent organic crops.

Powdered Cellulose, Dried Beet Pulp, Rice Hulls

Cellulose or Powdered Cellulose is essentially nothing more than 100% filler. “Powdered cellulose is purified, mechanically disintegrated cellulose prepared by processing alpha cellulose obtained as a pulp from fibrous plant material. In other words, sawdust.” [4] Cellulose is commonly used in attic insulation.

Dried Beet Pulp is the left over residue from the extraction of sugar in the production of table sugar. It is used as a filler. Note that the source of dried beet pulp is from sugar beets, not red beets.

Rice Hulls (or rice husks) are the hard protecting coverings of grains of rice. In addition to protecting rice during the growing season, rice hulls can be put to use as building material, fertilizer, insulation material, or fuel. [12]

By-Products

By-Products are left over wastes from human food production. By-Products come in two forms: named and un-named. Examples of named by-products include “chicken by-products” and “pork by-products”.

As defined by AAFCO, the Association of American Feed Control Officials, the organization that creates guidelines for livestock feed and pet food, “Chicken by-product meal consists of the ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered chicken, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs and intestines, exclusive of feathers, except in such amounts as might occur unavoidable in good processing practice.”

Un-named by-products include “meat by-products”. The AAFCO definition, “Meat by-products consist of the non rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals. It includes, but is not limited to, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, partially defatted low-temperature fatty tissue and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. It does not include hair, horns, teeth and hooves.”

By-products are not classified as meat; in many pet foods the exclusive use of by-products creates a food that does not contain any actual meat content, all to minimize costs while depicting premium or healthy imagery through marketing.

By-products, in many cases, are derived from “4-D” meat sources – defined as food animals that have been rejected for human consumption because they were presented to the meat packing plant as “Dead, Dying, Diseased or Disabled.” [5]

Animal Fat

Unlike “chicken fat” (named animal source), un-named “animal fat”, as defined by AAFCO – “Animal Fat is obtained from the tissues of mammals and/or poultry in the commercial processes of rendering or extracting. It consists predominantly of glyceride esters of fatty acids and contains no additions of free fatty acids. If an antioxidant is used, the common name or names must be indicated, followed by the words “used as a preservative”.”

Again in many cases “animal fat” includes meat sources from the “4-D” class – defined as food animals that have been rejected for human consumption because they were presented to the meat packing plant as “Dead, Dying, Diseased or Disabled.” [5]

“There’s a unique, pungent odor to a new bag of dry pet food — what is the source of that smell? It is most often rendered animal fat, or vegetable fats and oils deemed inedible for humans. For example, used restaurant grease was rendered and routed to pet foods for several years, but a more lucrative market is now in biodiesel fuel production.” [8]

Meat Meal

As defined by AAFCO, “Meat Meal consists of the rendered product from mammal tissues, exclusive of blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents except in such amounts as may occur unavoidably in good processing practices.”

What this definition does not mention is the “4-D” class of meat sources may still be legally used in “meat meal”. [5]

Meat and Bone Meal

The rendered product from mammal tissues, including bone, exclusive of blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents, except in such amounts as may occur unavoidably in good processing practices.

Recently many pet food companies and rendering plants have undergone scrutiny over their inclusion of euthanized pets in “meat and bone meal”. Ann Martin, in her book, “Food Pets Die For”, exposed this revolting practice and the detection of sodium pentobarbital in pet foods, a veterinary drug used in the euthanasia of pet animals.

“At the rendering plant, slaughterhouse material, restaurant and supermarket refuse, dead stock, road kill, and euthanized companion animals are dumped into huge containers. A machine slowly grinds the entire mess. After it is chipped or shredded, it is cooked at temperatures of between 220 degrees F. and 270 degrees F. (104.4 to 132.2 degrees C.) for twenty minutes to one hour. The grease or tallow rises to the top, where it is removed from the mixture. This is the source of animal fat in most pet foods. The remaining material, the raw, is then put into a press where the moisture is squeezed out. We now have meat and bone meal.” [4] [5]

These powerful chemicals are used as preservatives and to prevent rancidization of fats.

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) are petroleum derived preservatives used in food and hygeine products. TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone) is another petroleum derived preservative. BHT has been banned from use in baby products in the United States and both BHA and BHT are banned entirely from use in human products in many countries throughout the world. Our pets do not receive the same protection.

Ethoxyquin is used as a food preservative and a pesticide. In pet foods it is typically found in meat and fish based ingredients. Ethoxyquin has been banned from use in human products because it is believed to cause cancer. It is important to note that when a manufacturer obtains an ethoxyquin preserved ingredient from a supplier or if it is added to pet food ingredients prior to food manufacture, the manufacturer is not required to list ethoxyquin on the pet food ingredient panel. The same applies to the other chemical preservatives.

Propyl Gallate is used in foods, cosmetics, hair products, adhesives, and lubricants [6].

The use of these harsh chemicals are known to cause cancer, organ toxicity and are considered neither inert nor “safe”, yet are widely used in pet foods.

These natural preservatives are common in truly healthy pet foods as the manufacturers realize that the small additional expense is worth it when it comes to our pets safety.

It is also important to note that pet food manufactuers are not required to list ethoxyquin in their ingredient listings when utilizing “meals” or ingredients obtained from their suppliers that used the chemical to preserve the meals prior to delivery.

Sugar

Table sugar is often used to perk interest in the unsavory concoctions pet food manufacturers make. There is no reason for added sugar to be placed in pet food, other than the reason mentioned.

Propylene Glycol

Like sugar, propylene glycol is used in many pet foods and treats as a flavour enhancer due to its sweet taste. It is also found in many semi-soft or moist pet products and is another questionable ingredient in pet food.

In human uses it is a common ingredient in stick deoderant and make-up as a humectant.

It is interesting to note that propylene gycol is the less toxic chemical sister to ethylene glycol, or “anti-freeze”.

Artificial Colours

Coloured kibble bits are not for the benefit of the dog or cat, they are in fact to make them more appealing to you!

Our pets could care less what colour their food is, this is simply another marketing trick to catch your attention in the meriad of pet food labels.

Artificial colours are synthetic chemical dyes that have no place in pet food. Cases have linked FD & C colours to cancer and other ill health effects [7].

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 31, 2014 – At PEDIGREE®, we care about all dogs and their safety and well-being is extremely important to us, and to our mission – to make a Better World for Pets. For that reason, we have announced the extension of a previous voluntary recall of PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food products due to the possible presence of a foreign material. The voluntary recall still affects 22 bags shipped to Dollar General across four U.S. states, but it now is being expanded to 55-pound bags of PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food products sold in Sam’s Club in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

This recall is being expanded to Sam’s Club in the U.S. because some of the affected production lot was originally said to be held in inventory but was instead released to consumers, which has necessitated the expansion of the recall. We are confident no other packages or retailers are affected by this recall.

Bags may contain small metal fragments, which could have entered the packages during the production process. The foreign material is not embedded in the food itself, but may present a risk of injury if consumed.

We encourage consumers who have purchased affected product to discard the food or return it to the retailer for a full refund or exchange. We have not received any reports of injury or illness associated with the affected product. The lot codes indicated below should not be sold or consumed.

At Mars Petcare, we take our responsibility to pets and their owners seriously. We sincerely apologize for this situation and encourage you to reach out to us at 1-800-305-5206 from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. CST if you have questions.

This voluntary recall affects two packages sold in the United States only. No other PEDIGREE® products are affected, including any other variety of dry dog food, wet dog food or dog treats. The affected packages are:

55-pound bags of PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food sold at Sam’s Club will have the lot code 432E1KKM03 printed on the back of the bag near the UPC and a Best Before date of 8/7/15. See below for a list of Sam’s Club stores.

15-pound bags of PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food sold at Dollar General stores will have the lot code 432C1KKM03 printed on the back of the bag near the UPC and a Best Before date of 8/5/15. See below for a list of Dollar General stores.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 26, 2014 – (Manchester, CT) Bravo of Manchester, CT is recalling select lots of Bravo Turkey and Chicken pet foods for dogs and cats because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The recalled product was distributed nationwide beginning on November 14, 2013 to distributors, retail stores, internet retailers and directly to consumers. The product can be identified by the batch ID code (best used by date) printed on the side of the plastic tube.

1) These products are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

The recall was initiated after routine testing by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of Salmonella in two lots of product. This batch tested negative by a third party independent laboratory prior to release for distribution to consumers.

No additional products affected by this recall. The company has received no reports of illness in either people or animals associated with these products to date.

In addition to the voluntary recall of the above products, Bravo has chosen to voluntarily withdraw the following poultry products from the marketplace to provide its customers with the certainty of safety. Those products include all sizes (2 lb., 5 lb. and 10 lb.) of Bravo Chicken Blend(s), Bravo Turkey Blend(s), Bravo Balance Chicken Balance and Bravo Balance Premium Turkey Formula frozen raw diet products with best used by dates between June 20, 2016 and September 18, 2016. This is being done out of an abundance of caution despite no evidence of any manufacturing defect or distribution problem. None of these products are known to have tested positive for the presence of pathogens. This market withdrawal has NOT been requested by the FDA, but is being done voluntarily by Bravo.

The recalled product should not be sold or fed to pets. Pet owners who have the affected product at home should dispose of this product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle). Customers who have purchased the recalled pet food can return to the store where purchased and submit the Product Recall Claim Form available on the Bravo website www.bravopetfoods.com for a full refund or store credit. More information on the Bravo recall can also be found at www.bravopetfoods.com, or call toll free (866) 922-9222 Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST).